Atlanta United FC and Orlando City SC have striking similarities as they prepare to face each other in the 2024 MLS playoffs.
Both Atlanta United FC and Orlando City SC have had mountains to climb to get to the MLS Eastern Conference semi-finals this season. They both made their climbs successfully.
Both teams had to stand up to penalty kick shootouts to advance in the playoffs. Yet, Atlanta had a much tougher mountain to climb to get here. Their players had to take down Inter Miami CF, No. 1 in the MLS Eastern Conference.
So United will come to Orlando to face the Lions. But they won’t go down quietly. In fact, the only way they made the playoffs is by beating City 2-1 on Oct. 19 in Orlando at the end of the regular season.
Atlanta brings tough goalkeeper Brad Guzan. He enjoys meeting aggression in matches and keeps his focus sharp even during goalmouth melees. He encountered such a fight during the deciding match with Inter Miami.
As Guzan explained, Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi grabbed a ball from him as striker Luis Suarez shoved him into the net. Guzan then took the opportunity to – his term here – slingshot himself out of the net toward Suarez.
He described the out-of-control Inter Miami tag-team attack as WWE style. But by the end of the match, Atlanta won the chance to face Orlando and shocked Inter Miami out of the MLS post-season.
Guzan had to make seven saves in the 90 minutes of regulation to preserve a chance to win for his teammates. But Orlando also has a keeper who can keep them in these tough-fought matches.
Pedro Gallese has a message for his teammates that he will do his job. Then all they have to do is be themselves in these matches while they create chances and shoot to win.
Every 2024 MLS playoff match will be tough. Each game is a season within itself. It’s worth winning. And Orlando City SC can win it all.